Dear Bloom-Carroll Parents/Guardians,
A new school-year is upon us and we are excited to welcome our students back for the 2021-2022 school year! There are several topics to address as we head back to school including health & operational protocols, student achievement performance, and the opening of our new elementary school.
Health & Operational Protocols
We have all experienced difficult times during the pandemic; however, we are proud of how the Bloom-Carroll Local School District navigated the challenges – keeping our schools open and students learning with in-person instruction and activities. We never lost sight of our purpose and our responsibility to our students and our community.
Throughout the summer, I was hopeful our students would be able to have a “normal” school experience. As students head back to school across the nation the debate has reignited as to how that should be done. Throughout the pandemic virus cases have fluctuated; guidance, recommendations, orders, and legislation from health officials and politicians have been inconsistent and contradictory. The politicization continues and schools are sadly placed in the middle of it; consequently, every related decision is very difficult. As we have done in the past, we will do all we can to meet the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of our students.
Our students and families need consistency and simplicity. We remain committed to providing a full day of in-person instruction five days per week. The goal of having as close to a “normal” school year as possible is our full intention and is dependent upon orders from the ODH, executive orders from Governor DeWine, and legislative action. Recently, the Ohio Department of Health informed school districts that the use of facial coverings will be recommended but not mandated for the coming school year. In accordance, the use of facial coverings will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors for the 2021-2022 school year at Bloom-Carroll. Additionally, the District will be taking the following precautions and we are asking students, staff, and parents to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Consider the use of a facial covering in consultation with your physician or child’s pediatrician. Please be respectful to those who wear or do not wear a facial covering.
- Please conduct a wellness assessment at home for COVID-19 or flu symptoms. Stay home and contact your physician if you have symptoms and do not return until you are symptom free for 24 hours. If you have a fever over 100⁰ F, you should refrain from coming to school until you are fever free without medication for 24 hours.
- COVID-19 Positive Individuals: Any individual with a positive laboratory confirmed test should follow health department orders and isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
- Please practice good hygiene. (Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough, and refrain from touching your nose and mouth, etc.).
- Sanitizing/Disinfecting – Our custodial staff will continue to sanitize frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis in an effort to reduce all seasonal illnesses.
Student Achievement
I am pleased to share with you that the BCLSD students continue to excel in and out of the classroom. Preliminary state testing data from 2020-2021 indicates our students met or exceeded state averages in 20/20 testing areas (grades 3-12 reading, math, science, and social studies). However, we know pandemic related learning gaps exist and we will support our students to close those gaps. Developing our students’ reading and math skills will remain a fundamental priority while also fostering critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. Highly effective teachers are the best instructional resource, yet we also know the importance of developing resourceful students with meaningful and productive technology skills. With this in mind, and through strategic planning, we will be expanding our 1:1 Chromebook program to middle school students this school year. As we approach 2021-2022, we expect to see our students continue to excel in athletics and the arts. We are planning to hold concerts, competitions, art shows, theater performances, and all the other activities that are so important for the full and appropriate development of each student.
Bloom-Carroll Elementary School
Possibly the most exciting news to look forward to in the 2021-2022 school year is the grand opening of the new Bloom-Carroll Elementary School (BCES). Thanks to the support of our community, BCES will serve our littlest Bulldogs in kindergarten through fifth grade. We are proud to share the success of this project as the school will open on time and within the intended budget. The building will help meet the current needs of our students and will serve our community for generations. The 108,551 SF school features the most relevant safety and security measures, 60 classrooms/learning spaces, 10 small group rooms, and several flexible spaces including a cafeteria seating over 450 students. As a part of this project, the students and community will now have access to five new tennis courts.
Start Dates & School Lunches
The first student day is Thursday, August 26th for middle school and high school students. Students in 1st-5th grade with the last name beginning with A-K will begin on Thursday, August 26th. Students in 1st -5th grade with the last name beginning with L-Z will begin on Friday, August 27th. Kindergarten staggered starts begin September 1st and 2nd. Additionally, the USDA has extended the free breakfast & lunch program to all students for the 2021-2022 school year. More information will be shared over the next few weeks from each school containing important back to school details. Please continue to monitor your phone messages, text, email, district website, and social media.
The BCLSD and our students are thriving because of the support of our community. The BC Board of Education, administration, and staff make a conscious effort to operate our schools in a fiscally conservative manner. We make every effort possible to be good stewards of your tax dollars and to maximize achievement and opportunities with the resources we have available. The BCLSD’s operating expenditure per pupil continues to be below Ohio’s per pupil average and we finished the fiscal year 2021 with an operating surplus.
Excellent schools are indicative of a strong and supportive community and I could not be more appreciative of what we are accomplishing together. We have a storied tradition to build upon and I remain excited about the bright future of the Bloom-Carroll Local School District.
Go Bulldogs!
Shawn Haughn
Superintendent
